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THE LAW LIBRARY STAFF IS PROHIBITED FROM PRACTICING LAW. ANY E-MAIL INQUIRIES REQUESTING A LEGAL OPINION WILL NOT BE RESPONDED TO. INTERNET SUBSCRIBERS AND ON-LINE READERS SHOULD NOT ACT UPON THIS INFORMATION WITHOUT SEEKING PROFESSIONAL COUNSEL.

During the fall of 2006, renovations to the Law Library were begun.  Through careful design, the architects were able to preserve existing architectural details dating back to 1861, while at the same time, providing needed updates to the infrastructure.  In order to facilitate renovations, the Law Library moved into a temporary location during February of this year and back into our original space at the end of April.

On the first floor, new lighting fixtures, carpeting, shelving and ceilings were installed.  Two new restrooms replace the former single restroom.  Improved HVAC was added, along with additional computer network connections.  On the mezzanine level, older metal shelves were replaced with new wooden shelving.  The old lawyers’ lounge, formerly located on the first level, was relocated to the 2nd floor and occupies a large, comfortable space.  Two telephone booths, formerly available on the first floor, are now located in the lawyers’ lounge.  Thanks to the generosity of the Northampton County Bar Association, the new lounge will be furnished with items purchased by the Bar Association.  We encourage you to visit this historic facility.

In accordance with the Home Rule Charter, the Northampton County Law Library, a non-lending facility, is a mandatory resource funded by the County and administered by the President Judge.  More than 24,000 volumes can be found on three separate levels and include Pennsylvania Statutes, the Pennsylvania Bulletin, official Pennsylvania departmental regulations and numerous law practice aids.  An interlibrary loan/exchange policy with other law libraries adds to the services and materials available to users.  The library’s inventory is computerized and catalogued by title, author and subject.

The Law Librarian, Carol D. Devlin, works closely with the Law Library Committee of the Northampton County Bar Association, which makes recommendations concerning the purchase and disposition of books and improvements to the library.  This year’s committee is comprised of Michael J. Thompson (Chairman), Karl F. Longenbach, Esq., John G. Thomas, III, Esq. And Maura Zajac McGuire, Esq.

Public access computers were installed during 1994, enabling electronic research on CD’s.  Additionally, Northampton County Local Rules and Northampton County Common Pleas opinions (from mid-1992) are available on the Court’s webpage www.nccpa.org.  Selected internet websites are accessible from the library workstations to search County, State and Federal websites.  Westlaw online access provides user reference to materials not available in traditional published form.

The Law Library and Northampton Community College (NCC) continue their long-term and collaborative relationship.  This year, the Library and the College partnered, welcoming its first NCC Office Administration intern, Ms. Eira Trejos.  Under the guise and supervision of the Law Librarian, Ms. Trejos was exposed to many of the operational aspects of the Library and Courthouse and helped with routine library duties and the relocation/reorganization of the Library.  Ms. Trejos was one of three NCC interns who completed their 80-hour internship requirement at the Courthouse for the spring, 2007 semester. 

Peter Buddock, our unofficial library aide and all-around good citizen, was the 2007 recipient of the Everyday Leader Award from the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA).  PBA President, Kenneth J. Horoho, Jr., presented the award to Peter during a recent dinner meeting of the Northampton County Bar Association.  This award is given to individuals who go above and beyond, sharing their time and talent with others.  Generous with his time and advice, Peter also serves as a legal research assistant to the Public Defender’s Office of Northampton County, as a special arbitrator and assists library patrons.

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